LinkedIn for College Students: 7 Tips to Build a Standout Profile

First published 8th July 2023 Robin James

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College students and recent graduates alike often overlook the importance of building their personal brands online. Yet, there are many online channels that can help them develop their network, attract potential employers, and enhance their professional reputation.

One such channel is LinkedIn. Today, a well-designed and well-filled LinkedIn profile page can serve as a powerful tool for personal branding, helping to advance one’s career. Thus, it’s crucial to use this platform to your advantage.

To help you get the most out of LinkedIn, we’ve put together a list of useful tips. With their help, anyone can create a standout profile and skyrocket their chances of landing a decent job. Continue reading to find out more!

Top 7 Tips to make your LinkedIn profile standout

1. Go above and beyond with your headline

While many people put their job titles in their headlines, there are no rules against doing anything else. That’s why we recommend unleashing your creativity when writing your headline. For example, you can highlight what you can bring to the table, focus on your unique skills or accomplishments, or even showcase your personal values and passions.

To write a catchy headline, visit the LinkedIn pages of popular candidates for inspiration and examples. Another option is to hire a professional essay writer from pay for essay services and have them craft an attention-grabbing headline. Experienced writers can easily make your headline more than just a job title and help you attract recruiters.

2. Craft a compelling summary

The biggest mistake you can do is to leave a blank field in your LinkedIn profile summary. You may not have much to tell potential employers career-wise. Yet, this is your chance to boost your storytelling skills and tell your own educational and professional story.

Use this section to showcase your unique selling points, career aspirations, and any relevant experiences or projects you have undertaken. Alternatively, you can write about how your skills and knowledge can make a difference in your new workplace.

Spend some time on it, try out a couple different versions, and get feedback from your classmates and friends before settling on a final summary. It’s better to spend a little bit more time on your summary today and reap the fruits of your labor year-round. In the end, it is always worth the effort as it will help you stand out from other candidates in the job market.

3. Spend some time working on your profile’s visual elements

Since human beings are visual creatures, high-quality and eye-catching profile pictures influence first impressions. Thus, you need to work on your profile’s visual elements and pick those that would appeal to your target employers.

First, you must choose a profile image. It should be a high-quality photograph that represents your professional image and aligns with the industry you are in. Make sure your face is clearly visible in the photo and occupies around 60% of the space. Avoid using selfies or casual photos. Instead, opt for a professional headshot or a picture that showcases your expertise and personality. Also, avoid long-distance shots and wear clothes appropriate for the field you are aiming for.

Following the profile picture, you must choose a cover photo. This is the one that appears at the top of your profile page. Select a picture that matches your profile photo and adds visual interest to your LinkedIn page. This might be an image related to your industry, a visually appealing background, or picture that demonstrates what is important to you.

4. Highlight your educational background

Emphasize your academic achievements, awards, relevant coursework, and any certifications or degrees that set you apart from other students in your field. This will demonstrate your commitment to learning and acquiring the necessary knowledge for your desired career path.

If you want to make your background sound impeccable, turn to essay writing services. Writing experts from the best essay writing services will quickly write a persuasive educational highlight for you. Moreover, it will help you to see how a professionally crafted piece of writing should look, improving your presentation skills.

5. Showcase your skills

Create a dedicated skills section and include both hard and soft skills that are relevant to your desired career path. This could include technical skills, communication, problem-solving abilities, and any other skills that make you stand out.

If you can’t think of many of your skills, don’t worry. The chances are you are just not aware of your own abilities yet. Luckily, LinkedIn allows users to scroll through the list of skills and pick those that are relevant to them. Also, you can always update and add more skills as you gain experience and discover your new strengths.

6. Include relevant experience

At this point, it’s time to list any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work that you have completed. Make sure to list all of your responsibilities at each position. But make it clear and straightforward, so the potential employer can quickly browse through them.

You should also emphasize the skills and accomplishments gained from these experiences. You can add them to each position description as well. Keep in mind that every experience counts and might help you to land your dream job in the future.

7. Grow your network

Last but not least, you should grow your network on LinkedIn to attract the attention of potential employers and industry professionals. Being connected to an extensive network of various professionals can also help you stay updated with the latest trends and job opportunities in your field.

You can start growing your network by connecting with classmates, colleagues, and friends. You can also join relevant industry groups and participate in discussions to expand your network.

Our conclusion

In recent years LinkedIn has become a personal marketing platform for many. While it can help various highly skilled professionals get better job opportunities, it’s crucial for college students and recent graduates to use this platform to secure their first projects and kickstart their professional careers.

Failing to leverage LinkedIn could result in missed opportunities and limited professional growth. Thus, you should use our practical advice and build your profile in accordance with LinkedIn best practices.